Unless advised otherwise by your doctor, please continue to attend treatment as normal and practice good personal hygiene when travelling to and from your appointments.
COVID-19: Keeping you safe at Icon Cancer Centre
IMPORTANT: COVID-19 Vaccine – Your questions answered Information for cancer patients and immunosuppressed persons.
COVID-19 screening process
Icon is dedicated to ensuring the ongoing safety of our patients and staff. We are currently rolling out a COVID-19 screening process across our centres for all staff, patients, support people, visitors, contractors, medical reps and delivery people who attend our centres.
Patients
Patients with a mobile phone will receive an SMS on the day prior to their appointment with instructions on how to self-screen, before arriving at our cancer centres. For those patients without a mobile phone, screening paperwork will be made available to complete at the centre on arrival.
Visitors, contractors, medical representatives, delivery people
Everyone attending our cancer centres will be required to undertake COVID-19 screening on arrival. Those with a phone camera will be able to scan a QR code at the entrance of the centre and complete the screening questionnaire. For those without a mobile phone, screening paperwork will be made available to complete at the centre on arrival.
Screening questions
The screening system will ask questions related to:*:
- COVID-19 symptoms
- Recent travel from overseas/interstate or from a COVID-19 hotspot
- Close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19
- COVID-19 testing and results
*Questions are subject to change, over time.
Patients undertaking the SMS screening will receive a reply with either:
- A ‘thank you’ response advising them to arrive for their appointment as planned, and asking them to show the message on arrival OR
- A response to call the centre and follow up BEFORE arriving at centre
All patient and visitor data collected will be stored safely and securely and managed in accordance with Privacy Policy — Icon Cancer Centre.
COVID-19 safety commitment
As we continue to face the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) global pandemic, we want to reassure you that we are undertaking the most stringent hygiene practices and screening measures to ensure your safety within each and every one of our centres at Icon. We also need to protect the health of our staff so that they can remain with you during your treatment journey. A team of our medical staff are continuously reviewing our safety precautions in line with government advice and community infection numbers.
Within Icon centres, our staff are vigilant for anyone displaying symptoms. You may be provided with a mask and assessed in one of our consulting rooms if you display symptoms or if anyone accompanying you does.
We have several additional precautions in place, such as:
- Limiting our visitors so that we can provide more space in our waiting area
- Removed frequently handled magazines and other items from the waiting area
- Fast tracking patients in waiting areas to ensure that close contact periods (see below) with individuals other than your treating staff are not exceeded
- Providing additional hand sanitising stations for everyone to use. Hand sanitiser has been identified as the best alternative to handwashing. You should use our hand sanitiser when you arrive, when you leave and before you eat anything.
Should I do anything differently?
Should I be wearing a mask?
Surgical masks in the community are only helpful in preventing people who have coronavirus disease from spreading it to others. Regularly washing your hands and practising strict personal hygiene is the best way to reduce your risk of exposure.
Australia’s state and territory health authorities are continually updating their directives in regards to the use of masks within health centres. If you are in an area where a mask is required, one will be provided to you upon entry to our cancer centre.
What can I do to reduce my risk of contracting coronavirus?
Practicing strict personal hygiene and social distancing are some of the best ways that you can reduce your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Here are some ways that you and those around you can keep you safe:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Dry your hands.
- Cough or sneeze into your arm, use a tissue, bin the tissue, wash your hands
- Stay 1.5 metres away from others and avoid shaking hands, hugging and kissing others.
- Avoid crowds and gatherings where it’s difficult to maintain distance from others for example family celebrations or public places
- Reduce your contact with others to fifteen minutes of close ‘face to face contact, or less than two hours in the same room.
- Limit all visitors during this time and avoid those that are unwell in any way.
- If someone in your house is unwell they should use a different bedroom and bathroom if possible.
- Consider telehealth consultations for your medical appointments. Many care providers including Icon can arrange for your consultations to be held over video call or Skype. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Should I avoid public transport and large gatherings of people?
If possible, patients receiving treatment for cancer should not travel using public transport. Talk to your care team about available transport to treatment options. Visiting crowded places can increase your risk of COVID-19, so limiting close interactions is encouraged
What do I do if I think I may have COVID-19 and have a fever or flu-like symptoms?
If you’re undergoing treatment for cancer, it is important to always contact the centre immediately or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop a fever. Many of the known symptoms of COVID-19 can be confused with general symptoms and side-effects experienced by cancer patients. We advise you to closely monitor your health, looking out for new or worsening symptoms, and call your centre if you are feeling unwell. For further information and advice on COVID-19, the Coronavirus Health Information Line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 020 080.
What will happen if I contract COVID-19 during my treatment?
At Icon, we manage many conditions with a wide variety of treatments. It is not uncommon for our patients to develop seasonal flu and other infections during active treatment cancer care and we are well prepared to manage your safety and the safety of our staff if you do develop COVID-19. At this point in time you may need a temporary break from treatment, treatment after hours or in a dedicated protected treatment area, or treatment at another site. Your doctors will carefully consider what is the best approach in your circumstance.
Regularly washing your hands and practicing strict personal hygiene is the best way to reduce your risk of developing COVID-19.
We want to reassure our patients and families that Icon Cancer Centre is following all government direction and advice, and continuously reviewing our screening and hygiene practices to keep you as safe as possible while in our centre. Please continue to follow our hand hygiene instructions and the advice of your treatment team.
Most importantly, do not attend our centres with cold or flu like symptoms. Phone ahead for advice.
